A/N: SORRY FOR THE DELAY. I'm not ashamed to admit a certain degree of writer's block... I hope you enjoy it and deem your wait worthy.
As if on cue, the next morning started out slow. Vance came by the bullpen a few times to check on the agents, and apart from scarce dialogs, the team was left alone to dwell on their own things.
Tony squinted his eyes at the very bright sun – perhaps too bright – and cleared his throat. Gibbs remained silent, smirking to himself. Dinozzo was starting to regret having tried to keep up with him and his night coffee.
"Those papers all signed yet, Dinozzo?"
"Almost, Boss."
Mcgee snorted, peeking at his pile of paperwork. "If that's your almost, then I finished two hours ago."
"Speedy McQueen. Have a cookie." And Tony opened his drawer. McGee leaned on his chair, curiously, a pleased grin on his face, until Tony threw an abnormally large eraser at his forehead.
"Ow! Boss!" Surprised, McGee all but fell from the chair, earning a few chuckles from Gibbs and Ziva.
"Never let your guard down, McGee."
"Not even for cookies." Ziva added with a smile, leaning back on her chair. "Especially not Tony's."
The mentioned agent slightly raised his eyebrows to the light provocation, focused on the forms on his desk. "And why's that?"
"Well, everyone knows you do not store your cookies anywhere, since you eat them before they can even blink."
"Cookies don't blink." Tony looked up and stared into Ziva's teasing eyes. Without breaking eye contact, he reached for the other drawer. "And it seems you don't know me that well..." He stood up, grabbed his backpack and stopped in front of her desk. "Here, have an Oreo, Ziva. Permission to take off, Boss?"
Gibbs eyed him warily. Ziva frowned, confused.
"Be back before three."
"Thanks, Boss."
And then he left, hollow steps echoing in the busy bullpen. Gibbs' heavy breaths were all they heard for some time, until Ziva murmured. "I was joking."
McGee sighed. "I wasn't. Why do I never get the cookies?"
...
"This is probably the best ice-cream I've had since that chocolate cheesecake one you made last time." Tony said, licking his lips.
Abby laughed. They were sitting down on the floor of her lab, behind the glassy door, and all the lights were out except for one. "I'm surprised you can even talk. You'll get indigestion if you keep eating this quickly, y'know?"
"To hell with that. My massive hangover tells me otherwise. You know how awful it is being hungry and being unable to eat without puking your guts out? Apart from this ice-cream, I mean. Genius, pure genius." He licked the bowl.
"Ew, yucky!" She grabbed the bowl from his hands, his silly grin indicating he'd had enough. "Now talk."
Tony raised his eyebrows. "Talk? Nah-ah, missy. I came here to eat, not talk."
"Nuh-uh, big bro. You wanted girl therapy, and I'll give you that – starting with the fun part, and ending with the crappy one." She paused. "Just refrain from crying in the end and we'll be good."
"Abby..." He protested.
"No, you're right. I'm being selfish. You can cry all you want, Tony." She apologised quickly and, as if on cue, grabbed a pack of tissues from the chair behind her. "See? I was prepared. Now spill."
Tony sighed. "Can't I just be left alone...?" Abby snuggled in his lap, and he hugged her, chuckling. "Guess not."
"You guess right." She informed her, in a know-it-all manner. "Now, talk, please. I'm growing gray hairs here."
Tony laid his chin on the top of her head, deep in thought. He cleared his throat. "We're losing her, Abs." He murmured.
The goth gasped. "Ziva?"
"No, Jenny. Oh, sorry, that one we already lost." He snapped, sarcastic.
Abby gaped at him, tears forming in her eyes. "Not funny, Tony." She sobbed quietly.
"I know." He cleared his throat again, hugging her tighter. "It's... uh... it's just scary, y'know?"
She sighed. "What has she done?"
"Nothing yet. But as soon as she lands on Israel... we lose her. And this time, I'm not so sure we'll get her back."
"She's going back? Why?" Abby straightened up, suddenly angry. "It took us so freaking much to save her the last time."
Tony allowed his body to slouch and put his head on his hands, running them through his hair. Suddenly the floor was not so comfortable anymore, despite the yoga mattress Abby had laid for them to sit on. Suddenly... suddenly that closed space seemed less safe than before, and he felt the overwhelming urge to run.
"You reckon I'd be happy somewhere else?" He asked, forcing a boyish grin.
Abby stared at him intently, very honest anger visible in her frown. "Don't even joke about it." Hearing his heavy breath and conflicted smile in his grunt, she added, softening her brows. "You wouldn't. And you know that; you don't need me to say it."
"I kinda do, Abs."
She chuckled, and then whispered conspiratorially. "It's okay if you do. I like being needed. Y'know, sometimes."
He lifted his head and kissed the top of her head. "I'll always need you, sis."
Abby flashed him a grin. He tried to stand up, and when he couldn't, he used her shoulder for support, teasingly. She almost fell on the mattress, and, despite the shaky balance, managed to smack the lower part of his leg. "Ow, Tony!"
He laughed and ruffled her hair, messing up her ponytails. "Love ya too, Abs."
...
Gibbs piled up his unfinished paperwork and prepared to leave.
"You heading out, Boss?" McGee asked, only glancing up for a second.
"Nope." He walked towards Ziva's desk, who slowly lifted her head. His eyes met hers, defiance in the latter's, and he spoke seriously. "Tony must be coming back right now." He heard her sigh, and added. "You owe him that much."
"Gibbs..."
"I'll be with Ducky." He informed them both, ignoring the Israeli's protest. Pausing, he murmured only hard enough for her to hear. "Regrets are hard enough knowing there's time for second chances. Imagine walking to your death with one you will never make right. Don't do that to yourself... don't do that to him."
A/N: How did you like it? I especially enjoyed writing Abby and Tony's scene. They are such a cute pair of siblings ^^
Reviews are always appreciated; I love to learn from your comments!
Kisses!